Islamabad/New Delhi– Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday proposed Saudi Arabia as a neutral location for potential talks with India and suggested that the United States could take the lead as mediator between the two countries.
Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, Sharif said that any discussions between India and Pakistan would be conducted at the level of National Security Advisors (NSAs), with a focus on four key issues: Kashmir, water, terrorism, and trade.
He noted that tensions between the two nations have begun to ease gradually since the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) from both sides resumed communication.
Sharif emphasized that if dialogue does take place, Pakistan’s National Security Advisor would head the delegation. He reiterated that Saudi Arabia could serve as a neutral venue, with the U.S. playing a mediating role. However, he acknowledged that India has not yet agreed to any such neutral location for talks.
He added that the agenda of the proposed discussions would revolve around the issues of Kashmir, water sharing, trade relations, and cross-border terrorism.
During the briefing, Sharif also addressed the government’s decision to promote Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshal, stating that the move was made after consultations within the federal cabinet and with the approval of Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) founder Nawaz Sharif.
The Pakistani prime minister’s remarks came on the same day Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s firm position against terrorism. Addressing a large public rally in Bikaner, Rajasthan, Modi stated that there would be no talks or trade with Pakistan until it ends its illegal occupation of Kashmir.
Modi declared that any future dialogue would only concern Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and warned that continued support for terrorism would leave Pakistan isolated. He stressed that not a single drop of Indian water would be shared with Pakistan if it persists in exporting terrorism.
He also warned that “playing with the blood of Indians will cost Pakistan dearly,” reinforcing India’s uncompromising stance on national security and cross-border terrorism. (Source: IANS)
